News

2017-07-31 10:12:04.61

Imperial Man's Persistence Leads to $10 Million Prize

Being particular paid off to the tune of $10 million for one Imperial electrician, who was searching for a specific Missouri Lottery Scratchers ticket during a recent trip to Schnucks Market in Arnold for groceries.

David Piper said he found the “$300,000,000 Golden Ticket” Scratchers in the third machine, so he bought one of those and a few other tickets. When he took his tickets home to scratch them, he got a jolt when he discovered his “Golden Ticket” was worth a $10 million top prize.

“The number 33 came up, and I thought, ‘Well, I won something,’” Piper said. “And when I scratched it off, I had to look at it several times before I believed what it said.”

After some careful thought and financial counsel, Piper decided to retire from the electrician job he has held for more than 27 years. His fellow co-workers were excited for him.

“I said goodbye on the same day I was leaving,” he shared. “I was kind of sad, and I hated to leave it.”

Both David and his wife, Vickie, would like to buy a new home, but Vickie also has an item she would like to cross off her list.

“I want to go to New York City,” she said. “I have always wanted to see Central Park, Broadway and stand in the middle of Times Square at night and see the lights. That would be one of the best things in the world to do.”

Piper purchased the winning Scratchers ticket on July 9 at Schnucks Market, 3900 Vogel Road, in Arnold, where he often buys his Lottery tickets. Winners of the top prize have the option to take the $10 million winnings in 25 annual payments of $400,000 or as a one-time lump-sum payment of $6.8 million. The Pipers decided to take the cash option.

“$300,000,000 Golden Ticket” is a $30 game that started Jan. 25, 2016, to celebrate the Missouri Lottery’s 30th anniversary. It offers more than $165 million in remaining prizes, including five $1 million prizes and one $10 million top prize. The Pipers are the 114th players to win $1 million or more on a Scratchers ticket, and they claimed the 473rd Missouri Lottery prize worth $1 million or more sold since the Lottery began in 1986.